The Ellip6 Junior Rally team enjoyed a solid start to life in the Renault Twingo R1 Trophy at the Le Touquet rally this weekend. Both drivers Dorian Nicolas and Kevin Coste made a highly satisfactory debut for the team just weeks after being selected for the new Ellip6-backed initiative.

Kevin Coste was the highest placed of the two drivers, concluding the 14 stage event in 13th place overall in the Twingo R1 class. Dorian Nicolas finished just two places further down the order in 15th after a disappointing final stage, still a good result for the drivers’ first rally with a new car, a new team and in a competitive championship. The drivers and team had added complications on the first day with light rain and bitter cold that made driving conditions slippery and unpredictable.

The new Ellip6 squad is being managed and overseen by former rally driver Fabrice Morel, owner of the PPAC rally driving school, and Renaud Chazel, founder of Chazel Technologies, both of whom have been a huge support to Kevin and Dorian during the Le Touquet weekend.

Dorian was in a strong position for most of the two days, battling the difficult and muddy road conditions. His highlight was unquestionably during Friday’s third stage, the 15km long Airon stage, in which he posted the second fastest time in the class. Coming into the final stage, Dorian was in 11th place overall with a good chance of securing a top ten finish but complications with an engine sensor on the long 30km Hucqueliers stage lost a lot of time and dropped him down to 15th place.

Kevin had also shown promise and headed into the final stage in 14th place. His best individual stage performance came on that short penultimate stage Le Touquet, registering a top ten Twingo R1 time. A solid final stage was all he needed to jump to 13th overall at the end of the rally.

President of Ellip6, Pierre Tantot said: “This first rally for the Ellip6 Junior Team was always going to be a learning curve for our first event together. I have to say that both Dorian and Kevin have exceeded my expectations of them this weekend and performed professionally and admirably in difficult circumstances. We set them a very specific programme focussed on gaining experience, and I commend them for sticking to this programme rigidly. The team has spent a productive week together and learned a huge amount. Now we have this event completed, we can look forward to the next rally with great excitement.”

Dorian Nicolas: “I was really disappointed to end the rally with the engine problem on the final stage but these things happen. Nevertheless, I can be satisfied with my performance in general. It wasn’t easy on Friday with difficult road conditions but I was still able to set the second best time in the third stage which was a great feeling. I know I have more to give but this rally was about learning the car in rally conditions, fitting into the team and building up experience – which we did very well. I have to say thanks to the whole Ellip6 Junior Team for their support this weekend.”

Kevin Coste: “That was a great experience for me personally and it is good to get the first rally weekend of the year behind us. It was pretty challenging at times with the weather and road conditions but I felt that I was improving with each stage. Sure, there is a lot still to work on but thanks to Ellip6 and the guys in the team, I think we are already in the right direction. I look forward to our second event in Lyon next month and believe we have a very strong base on which we can now build.”

The next rally will take place at Lyon Charbonnières from 14-17 April.

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